International Yoga Day 2017: 10 Facts To Know About The Spiritual Exercise

The UN defines yoga as “an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.”

UN declared June 21 as International Yoga Day after recognizing its appeal across the globe. On Dec. 11 2014, the UN proclaimed this day resolution 69/131. This day was aimed at raising awareness around the world about the numerous benefits of the spiritual exercise. It has continued to grow in popularity and is practiced in several forms across worldwide.

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The theme of this year’s Yoga Day, organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, is “Yoga for Health.” This theme was chosen because the organizers believe “that this approach to health and wellbeing can make a direct and useful contribution to humankind's quest to achieve sustainable development and move towards lifestyles that are in harmony with nature.”

“[Yoga] embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature, and a holistic approach to health and well-being,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in 2014.

“Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and nature.”

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Here are 10 facts about yoga to share on International Yoga Day, collected from Yoga Journal, MSN and The Better India:

1. Lord Shiva is considered to be the supreme lord of yoga, according to Hindu mythology.
2. You should listen to your body and physical needs while doing yoga and then modify your poses according to your own physical conditions. People who suffer from arthritis can relieve their pain by doing yoga. Yoga also keeps your joints healthy.
3. 74 percent among the regular yoga practitioners in America have been doing the spiritual exercise for almost five or fewer years, according to a 2016 study conducted by Yoga Journal.
4. 86 percent of American yoga practitioners stated that after doing the exercises regularly they have gained a strong sense of mental clarity. While 73 percent said they became physically stronger, and 79 percent were giving back to their communities. The Yoga Journal study said all these rates were higher as compared to non-practitioners.
5. The word “yoga” was said to have first appeared in Katha Upanishad, which was composed between fourth to third century BCE.
6. The foremost among the modern yoga teachers in the world was B.K.S. Iyengar. “Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul to create the symphony of life,” Iyengar had said.
7. According to the Yoga Journal 2016 study in America, “The top five reasons for starting yoga are: flexibility (61 percent), stress relief (56 percent), general fitness (49 percent), improve overall health (49 percent), and physical fitness (44 percent).”
8. Yoga is said to boost the immune system on a genetic level, according to a Norwegian study.
9. Yoga improves both professional and personal relationships as a happy and satisfied mind will deal with all kinds of relationships better.
10. 82 percent of Americans who practice yoga are female and most of them are under the age of 44 years.